Preview: Everton v Crystal Palace

7 December 2015

INTRO

After clinching a Premier League record win against Newcastle United last week, the Eagles return to Merseyside a month after their Anfield triumph to take on the club from the other side of Stanley Park.

Palace have won their last four games in Liverpool including successive 3-2 wins at Goodison Park, a ground where they have a good record having only lost there twice in the Premier League from six outings.

Everton though have been in good form of late, and are unbeaten in their last four league games, scoring 14 goals in the process, and clinched a spot in the semi-finals of the Capital one Cup by beating Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

Alan Pardew's side will have to be wary of the red-hot Romelu Lukakau who has hit eight goals in his last eight games, and scored in both games against the Eagles last season.

TEAM NEWS

Everton: Roberto Martinez is sweating over the fitness of James McCarthy who limped off in the 3-3 draw against Bournemouth last weekend, but he should be fit to feature.

Leighton Baines could make his first appearance of the season after picking up a knee injury in the summer, but fellow defenders Phil Jagielka, Tyias Browning and Tony Hibbert are sidelined with similar issues.

Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha is suspended for this game after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Newcastle, and Bakary Sako is also missing after picking up a hamstring strain in that game.

Dwight Gayle is still struggling with a hamstring injury.

STATS

Everton are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games played on a Monday (W7 D8).

Palace are the only side yet to throw away any points from leading positions in the Premier League this season; winning all seven games that they have led in.

Everton have netted a total of 14 goals in their last four Premier League games, one more than they managed in their previous 10 games this season.

Since Alan Pardew took over in January, only Arsenal (35) have amassed more Premier League points away from home than Palace (30 pts - W10 D0 L4).

Pardew has now enjoyed 100 Premier League wins as a manager, and is the 10th quickest boss to reach that total (261 games).

OFFICIALS

Craig Pawson takes charge of his second Palace game of the season, having previously overseen the win at Stamford Bridge in August. In his 18 matches this season he has shown just one red card.

Referee: C Pawson

Assistants: M Salisbury and E Smart

Fourth Official: L Mason

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Everton wins

Draws

Palace wins

League

12

8

10

FA Cup

4

2

1

League Cup

1

2

0

Total

17

12

11

LAST MEETING AT GOODISON PARK

21st September 2014

Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace

Premier League

Crystal Palace claimed their first win of the season as they extended Everton's winless league streak at Goodison Park to four matches.

The visitors came from behind after Romelu Lukaku fired in to reward Everton for their early dominance.